Officer of the Year subject to police auditor's probe
EUGENE, Ore - The Eugene Police Officer who shocked a protestor last year during a protest has been named "Officer of the Year."
Nineteen-year-old protestor Ian Van Ornum was shocked with a Taser twice by Eugene Police Officer Judson Warden during a pesticide rally last May.
Warden has been awarded the Eugene Police Department's "Officer of the Year" award.
"His cool headedness, his professionalism, his training and his experience have shown through to show he is a high-quality, high-caliber professional police officer," said Captain Steve Swenson with the Eugene Police Department. "That's what's being recognized."
Swenson said Officer Warden was nomimated by other police officers. An award committee made the final decision.
But Officer Warden is under investigation by the police auditor. Some witnesses say he used excessive force at the protest.
When asked if this was appropriate timing to give out this award to this officer, Swenson said yes.
"It's not all about Jud Warden," he says. "He just happens to be one of the named employees."
Swenson said they give out this award each year between March and May. He said the fact it was given out shortly after the trial was only coincidence. Swenson said it would be inappropriate to deny this award to an officer he says does an outstanding job.
"I can understand why the timing could create a conception," he says. "But I hope this explanation sets the record straight."
